Coach: Jesse Burleson (14th season). Starters returning O/D: 6/4. 2023: 9-2, 6-0 ASC

The 2023 campaign was a banner year for Hardin-Simmons, earning the program’s first outright ASC championship since 2004. How concerned is Jesse Burleson with the Cowboys being the hunted heading into the 2024 season?

“I’m not, honestly. That’s the case every week for us because of our history of success, which we’ve sustained over a long period of time,” Burleson said. “We like getting everybody’s best shot, and there has been zero complacency. If winning a conference championship isn’t your goal, you’re in the wrong program.”

The Cowboys are the favorites to repeat as ASC champions this season due to an experienced roster featuring at least 30 seniors for the second consecutive season. Burleson believes the keys for HSU to advance in the playoffs are players and staff buying into the process and using each day as an opportunity to grow.